old wives' fables

In Russian, the phrase бабьих басен (bab’ikh basen) or “old wives’ tales” is widely used as an idiom in every-day life , typically referring to nonsense. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 87)

complete verse (1 Timothy 4:7)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Timothy 4:7:

  • Uma: “Don’t throw away your time investigating false/lying stories and words that do not cause [lit., carry] us to submit to God. Exert-effort to strengthen your heart to submit to God.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But don’t heed/pay-attention-to the stories they say are influencing people towards God but do not. Those stories are really of no value. But cause your thinking to become accustomed to always thinking of the true teaching so that you can indeed follow the wishes of God.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “However, avoid teachings which are false histories and which are not worthy of God. Carefully carry out what God wants.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Turn-a-deaf-ear-to (lit. object focus of deaf) those tales of long ago that have no purpose, because they are not about the true God, and accustom-yourself (sing.) to learn and follow a holy way-of-life.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Don’t occupy yourself with stories which are only of human origin and have no usefulness/gain. Rather, what you are to be always striving for is, be strengthening your following/obeying the will of God.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “But concerning the made-up stories which are not God’s word, do not pay attention to them, for they do not have any value. Seek how your faith will be well firmed.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Timothy 4:7

This verse contains both a negative and a positive command to Timothy. Negatively he should Have nothing to do with myths, since these are godless and silly. Have nothing to do (Good News Translation “keep away from”) translates a verb that means “shun,” “avoid,” “refuse,” “beg off,” “decline.” For myths see 1.4. These myths are described as godless and silly. Godless translates a word that in its neutral sense means “accessible” but is used in Greek writings as the opposite of the word “holy,” hence “secular.” In the present context its primary meaning is “profane,” that is, devoid of anything sacred, so that it is not worth the attention of any godly or religious person. Silly translates a word that can be literally rendered “characteristic of or belonging to old women” (so Jerusalem Bible “old wives’ tales,” New English Bible “fit only for old women”). The expression perhaps originates from the notion that old women (especially senile ones) like to tell stories that make no sense. It was not long before the expression became an idiom for any limitless, insignificant chatter; this is the way it was used in Greek philosophical writings at that time. It is thus justified to translate the expression not literally but according to its meaning, which many modern translations have done.

Positively Timothy is urged to train himself in godliness. For godliness see discussion on the same term translated “godly” in 2.2 and “religion” in 3.16. The word translated Train yourself comes from language used in the gymnasium and refers to exercising or training for some sports event. In some languages an expression like “Work hard to be” (Contemporary English Version) will be more natural. The form of the Greek verb is that of a present imperative, emphasizing the continuity of the action (so Good News Translation “keep yourself in training”). The attainment of the godly life is not a one-time event; it needs persistent and strenuous effort both mentally and spiritually. Another way of expressing Train yourself in godliness is “You must train yourself continually to live a life that shows reverence to God.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Timothy 4:7

4:7a

But reject: The phrase But reject: means to ignore or choose not to pay attention to something. Paul told Timothy that he should study and obey the truths of the faith. He should reject: false teachings.

irreverent, silly myths: Paul said that the false teachings were really only myths. A myth is a story that has been made up and passed down from one generation to another and taught to the people. It may be based on something that happened in the past or it may be something made up to explain why people follow certain customs. But it is not true like history. See the note on 1:4a.

irreverent: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as irreverent means that these myths did not help people to respect God.

silly myths: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as silly myths is literally “old wives’ tales.” That is a common idiom in English as well as Greek. It refer to foolish stories, or to stories that are not worth telling. However, the term did not imply that women or old people were foolish. Paul was simply using a common term for a story that was not worth believing or even telling. If you have an idiom that is used for similar stories, you may be able to use it here. Otherwise it is recommended that you use a general expression like “silly” as the Berean Standard Bible has done.

4:7b

Instead: This is the way that the Berean Standard Bible translates the Greek word de that connects 4:7a with 4:7b. Many English versions leave the connection implicit. The connection between 4:7a and 4:7b is that instead of paying attention to worthless teachings (4:7a), Timothy should train himself to be godly (4:7b).

train yourself: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as train refers to doing regular and intense physical exercise to prepare for a sport or athletic contest. Paul used this figure of speech to describe the continual effort and discipline that is needed to behave in a way that pleases God.

In some languages, it may not be possible to use a word that relates to sports in order to talk about a person’s spiritual life. Other languages may not even have the concept of training for a sport. If this figure of speech will not work in your language, you could say something like:

Instead, constantly be forming good habits in order to behave like God wants you to.

godliness: Paul had already used the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as godliness in 2:2c A person who practices godliness expresses his faith by what he does; he behaves in a way that shows that he respects God.

© 2003 by SIL International®

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.